Thermo Scientific Water Analysis - Compliance and Workflows European Water Framework Directive

Importance of the Topic

Environmental pollution at trace levels threatens aquatic ecosystems and human health. EU Directive 2013/39/EU mandates monitoring of priority pollutants in water and biota to achieve environmental quality standards (EQS). Comprehensive analytical strategies are essential to detect diverse contaminants at very low concentrations in complex matrices. Thermo Scientific offers a suite of instruments and workflows that support EU compliance and enhance data quality.

Study Objectives and Overview

The reviewed application notes outline analytical approaches aligned with Directive 2013/39/EU. They identify key chemical classes to be monitored, detail sample preparation techniques, and recommend instrumentation configurations for gas, liquid, and elemental analysis. The overall objective is to facilitate accurate quantification of pesticides, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, hormones, metals, and other contaminants at or below EQS levels.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

Sample preparation strategies include:

• Solid phase extraction (SPE) using manual cartridges or automated systems such as Dionex AutoTrace 280.
• Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) for solids and sediments with the ASE 350 system.
• Online cleanup via turbulent flow chromatography (TurboFlow technology) prior to LC-MS.

Key analytical platforms:

• GC-MS/MS (TRACE 1300 GC, ISQ, TSQ series) for PAHs, organochlorines, organotins, and perfluorinated acids in SIM and SRM modes.
• LC-MS/MS (UltiMate 3000 UHPLC, EQuan MAX Plus, TSQ Endura, Quantiva) for herbicides, pharmaceuticals, steroid hormones, and PFOS with high sensitivity.
• High-resolution Orbitrap systems (Exactive Plus, Q Exactive) for combined targeted and non-targeted screening.
• ICP-MS and ICP-OES (iCAP Q, iCAP 7000, iCE series) for trace metals analysis with detection limits down to ppt.

Main Results and Discussion

Workflows achieve detection limits often in the low ng/L or pg/L range with rapid analysis times of 2–5 minutes per run. Automated SPE and ASE reduce solvent use and hands-on time, while online LC-MS enables direct injection of large volumes. GC-MS/MS chromatograms demonstrate clear separation of organotin species at 2 ng/mL. LC-APCI-MS/MS quantifies 17β-estradiol at 350 pg/L across river water, effluent, and blank samples, confirming robust performance in complex matrices.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Increased throughput and consistency through automation and multiplexing.
• Regulatory compliance across a broad spectrum of pollutant classes.
• Combined targeted and non-targeted screening within single analytical runs.
• Reduced solvent consumption and simplified workflows aligned with green chemistry principles.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in high-resolution MS coupled with sophisticated data processing will expand non-targeted screening capabilities. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to streamline method development and improve detection of emerging contaminants. Wider adoption of online extraction and real-time monitoring will enable faster responses to pollution events and support continuous compliance.

Conclusion

Thermo Scientific delivers end-to-end solutions for water analysis under EU Directive 2013/39/EU, integrating efficient sample preparation with sensitive GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, HRMS, and ICP platforms. These workflows ensure reliable monitoring of priority substances, enhance laboratory productivity, and support environmental quality objectives.

References

• Heinz Singer et al Determination of biocides and pesticides by online SPE MS in wastewater and surface water Environ Pollut 2010 158 3054-3064
• Liza Viglino et al Online SPE and LC MS/MS quantification of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in water J Environ Monit 2008 10 482-489
• Laszlo Hollosi et al Sensitivity of direct injection LC MS for EU Water Framework Directive compounds SETAC Glasgow 2013
• Marina Gorga et al Multi-residue method for endocrine disruptors in water using dual column LC MS J Chromatogr A 2013 1295 57-66
• Rebeca López-Serna et al Direct analysis of pharmaceuticals and metabolites in water via TurboFlow LC MS/MS J Chromatogr A 2012 1252 115-129